Thinking about retirement but don't really want to hang around with retired people

[SwedishEdith]

Okay, slightly dramatic thread title. But I'm thinking about pulling the plug completely on work when I'm about 62. Feeling jaded about the work but I do enjoy the contact with a wide range of people over a wide range of ages. I do think it keeps me younger in mind and more in touch with the world etc.

So, what are people doing in retirement that allows them keep some sort of contact with people other than retired people? No grandchildren yet so that's not an avenue for me yet.

Exercise classes are full of all sorts of ages, so are coffee shops, swimming pools, events etc. What are you talking about? Are you worried about having to attend an OAP centre?

I am 62 and the running club I go to on Wednesday mornings has a wide range of ages. There are a bunch of mums from school drop off, people who ‘wfh’ and both early and late retirees. People have already mentioned shift workers, part-timers etc.

What sort of age don’t you want to spend time with? Those over 67/ 70 / 80 plus? Unfortunately we are all aging. Obviously it depends upon what you actually want to do. I must admit there are a lot of very fit and active older people in their 70s which has caught me by surprise. Try getting a badminton or padle court in a morning- almost impossible

What an excellent thing to do!

I volunteer at Cats Protection, we’re a mixed bag. The paid staff are all in their 30s I’d say, the volunteers are all ages and both sexes from 20s to 70s. It’s a lot of fun.

My friend works as a football club match day operations assistant and loves it. There's a big age range of people and he loves that no match day is the same. The job is fairly active so keeps him fit which is a bonus. He does 2/3 matches per month during the season. It's enough to top up his pension and not take him away from his other commitments.

Is there a website for volunteering roles?

I’m not aware of any, I chose a subject close to my heart (cats) then went on the rescue sites under “volunteering”. My placement is a 30 mile round trip but so worth it to do something I love.

https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/

@PropertyD

Bet you didn’t want to hang around with “school mums” either….

You sound like my Mil @SwedishEdith . She's 82 and a lot of her friends are dead/moved into retirement homes. Told her to join the local senior club that provides activities like bridge, dancing, arts, nature walks etc. She looked horrified: - But there will only be a bunch of old people there! 🤣

My MiL gives a regular lift to “an elderly lady”, and was quite surprised to realise the woman was more than 15 years younger than her, at a mere 75 😂. Mil is well over 90.

I go to an art group. Ok, 3/4 are retirement age but there are plenty of us (myself included) who work part time or are signed off sick, or various other reasons. There are no real youngsters but a good range from about 40 up

Help to run the local mum and baby stay and play!

I am 49 and would love to hang out with some of the retired people on my street. One has just spent a month travelling around India and volunteers as a life guard at a wild swimming spot. Don't write them off.

google local voluntary services
we have a district level organisation that amongst other things collects info on local voluntary groups (which is a very wide range) and provides advice, services and training to local voluntary groups

I retired early & I “hang about “ with some retired people although not exclusively
I volunteer in a professional role - some of my colleagues are retired , many aren’t . I travel alongside people of all ages . I go to the gym - there’s a few retired people there but mainly younger people.
I take advantage of cheap matinee tickets and go to the cinema , concerts & the theatre during the day - there’s always a smattering of retired there but mostly people of all ages

I frequently meet girlfriends of differing ages for lunch or a day out to the city- some are retired , some still work shifts or part time and we can catch up at leisure . I read lots and have started to grow vegetables and make my own bread

You won't find me in a garden centre coffee shop or at ‘retired people’s meetings’. Pensioner coffee mornings or similar are definitely not my scene !
Retirement is amazing . I feel younger & fitter since I left work & am busier than ever but doing the things that I want to do !

I did a couple of years as a volunteer "greeter" in my historic city. It was great fun and lots of students did a paid version (longer hours), so I got to mix with all ages. My job was to meet and greet visitors at the entrances to the main sites and signpost what to do and where to go. I also had to stand at the top of the main streets with a sandwich board that identified me as someone who could help tourists find their way around. I hated that bloody sandwich board, but got talking to so many people just the same and it was so interesting finding out where they were from etc.

Other than that I didn't do all that much, volunteered in the local special needs school (lovely people all round), went on guided walks designed for visitors, but enjoyed being a tourist in my home town. Retirement is for being lazy after all the years of hard graft!

Contact your LA for ideas about voluntary work. Since retiring I have worked at a food bank, 15 - 90 years. I have been a story lady at a Children’s Centre. Working with mums and Centre Staff. Worked at the library, helping with children’s reading and helping adults with computer skills.

I have joined U3A where I have been able to peruse my hobbies of photography and historic buildings. A lot of pensioners with lively interests.

I have also joined a gym and meet all ages at the various classes I attend.

Help with reading or trips out with a local school. You will need a DBS but is very quick and is free. They have less parent helpers as most families have both parents at work.
It will be good practice for when the grandchildren arrive plus you get to go to some interesting places.

-Sign up for college or university courses
-From a mentoring scene for young people looking to get in to your industry
-Radio lollipop is a charity that works with children on hospital wards
-Volunteer at a soup kitchen or local play group
-Sports coaching of you are good at something
-train as a Doula

Bet you didn’t want to hang around with “school mums” either….

How unpleasant.

OP is saying she wants to hang out with a range of age groups - like she does at work. I'm the same.

My Aunt and Uncle belong to a walking group made up of fellow well heeled Tory retirees who are leaning towards Reform. They sound insufferable. I'd rather go walking with a mixed bunch.

Some good ideas on this thread!

I ‘retired’ 1.5 years ago at 62 but returning to work as nothing compares to the buzz of my job - the challenges and mixing with all ages and types. I tried volunteering and various classes but it didn’t give me the ‘fix’. Sadly it’s an all-or-nothing job, no part time and I wouldn’t want remote even if available as I want to be with people. Maybe I’ll ‘retire’ again in a year. Or not.

DM was exactly the same. Didnt want to be old or hang out with other old people and young and fit in her outlook and had always had younger friends.
The day she finally accepted an invite to a class
typically frequented by retirees changed her life. All of her young friends were ‘busy’ and rushing. This other group were chatty and friendly and wanted connection and would head for coffee or lunch after class. If they saw a poster advertising something whilst sat chatting they would go back to it the following day- because they can. They often howl with laughing and it’s really not crusty at all.